Microstructure of Ti3SiC2-based ceramics

The Ti3SiC2-based ceramic produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) has been investigated by means of analytical electron microscopy (AEM). The observations have proved that the elongated slabs with rounded corners of well fused Ti3SiC2 grains form a matrix within which some rounded TiC and less frequent angular SiC inclusions are present. A TiSi2 phase filling up a remaining free space between carbide grains, has been also detected. The Ti3SiC2 grains are characterised by a high density of dislocations, while the TiC ones contain mostly stacking faults. Cracks forming in the material are situated predominantly at the Ti3SiC2/TiC interface.